Steel Man Handbook

The Steel Man method requires you to express the argument you are addressing in its strongest reasonable form. This practice safeguards fairness, reduces misunderstanding, and elevates discussion quality.

What a Steel Man Is

A Steel Man summary is a clear and strengthened restatement of another argument. It reflects what a reasonable advocate might say, even if the original point was expressed imperfectly.

How to Construct a Steel Man

• Identify the precise claim being made.
• Rephrase the argument in neutral and accurate language.
• Add reasonable clarification where required.
• Remove exaggeration, mockery, or distortion.
• Seek confirmation before responding if the meaning is uncertain.

Examples

Ineffective representation: “You think we should stop caring about any of this.”

Steel Man: “Your position is that emotional overwhelm weakens effective resistance, and that cultivating resilience allows for clearer action against injustice.”